In ELLE.com’s series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we spoke to Erin Andrews, one of the most prolific women in sports media. She got her start as a College GameDay reporter for ESPN more than 20 years ago and has been working the sidelines ever since. In 2012, Andrews joined Fox Sports and remains one of the network leads as an NFL reporter. Andrews has always been a fan favorite, in part because of her vulnerability and resilience: Throughout her years in the spotlight, she’s openly faced a public court battle, a cancer battle, and struggles with infertility. For her contribution to the field, Andrews received Vince Lombardi’s Award of Excellence in 2022; she also became the first woman to be honored with the Pat Summerall Award. These days, Andrews co-hosts a podcast, Calm Down, with Fox Sports colleague Charissa Thompson and runs WEAR by Erin Andrews, an apparel and accessory line for sports fans. Ahead of the Super Bowl, where she’ll be reporting live, Andrews talks work-life balance, sexism, and all things Taylor Swift.
My first job
My first job was at American Eagle. (I really wanted to go to Abercrombie, because that’s where some of my guy friends worked.) From there, our manager moved to Banana Republic, so we all moved up, too. Khakis for everyone.
My worst job
I was a ride operator at Adventure Island in Tampa, Florida. This is before I was worried about wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin cancer; I just really wanted to crush the old tan situation. Tampa is the lightning capital, and when you’re stuck on the highest ride, and you see a storm start rolling in, you’re like, “Is this the way I’m going to go out? At Adventure Island by a lightning strike?” I remember we were getting everybody off the ride, and it was a tube slide, so I had to ride down last. It was like a scene from Twister.
The best career advice I’ve received
Hustle like you’re broke. I’ve never worked harder than I do now. The other one is: If you’re going to do this for a living, you better have thick skin. When I first started—and this is going to age me so much—I used to read the message boards, and it would ruin my day. People talked about how big my nose was, how my voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I don’t have a “Delilah After Dark” voice, I get that. But I have worked really hard, and that’s why I’m in this industry.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned
When I was young, I was so excited about being involved in sports broadcasting. Nothing really phased me. And then I dealt with adversity. I dealt with a stalker; I dealt with a public court case, and that taught me a lot. I didn’t think I was ever going to work again [due to the nature of the case]. I thought I’d never be taken seriously again. That really tested my inner strength to see if I wanted to show my face—and for me, showing my face means being in front of crowds of 80,000 people. Then I got diagnosed with cancer, and that was like, holy shit. The biggest thing it taught me was how strong I am. I’ve been tested in a lot of different ways, and I’m still kicking.
Why I launched WEAR
I love dressing up and cheering for my team, but as I got older, and my style changed, it was like, Where am I going to find clothes that represent the kind of fan I am? Then I met my husband, and his hockey team went to the playoffs and won the Stanley Cup, and I was like, What am I wearing for the parade? When you go into pro shops, there’s a huge selection for men and maybe a few options for women. I wasn’t into what I was being offered as a fan. So, we put our nose to the grindstone. Finally, we partnered with Fanatics, and we created everything that I hoped to and more.
And look, [working multiple jobs] is hard. I miss a lot of stuff. I miss holidays. But beside being with my son and husband, there’s no place I’d rather be than here [doing my job]. This is my happy place, and I know for me to be a better mom and a better person, I have to be doing this. I’m a better version of myself when I have a lot going on.
The dream job I haven’t done yet
I want to be on Jenna & Friends. I really enjoyed my time on the Today Show, so I’m manifesting that. I want to be on Sesame Street, because my kid is obsessed with Elmo. Saturday Night Live is a big one. I would love to do that. I would love to do more fashion and podcast collabs, too. We have a collaboration with Rebecca Minkoff that we’re super excited about and one for the Super Bowl.
Rebecca Minkoff x Wear Super Bowl LIX Tabitha Oversized Moto Jacket
On women’s sports getting long overdue recognition
It’s nothing new for me to be the only female that travels with 30 guys. I’m very comfortable in that role. It’s cool that they are having a moment—we are having a moment—and it’s only going to get bigger and better. But that’s because of the foundation that was laid by women who didn’t take “no” for an answer, who looked to find ways to prove people wrong, to find ways to get the job done. So, it’s a really fun moment, but I don’t think any of us should be satisfied. I think we should keep pushing.
How I envision the future of women in sports
I see an unlimited future. I really do. But it’s only going to come if people continue to push and demand to be in certain positions and roles. Something that was said to me when I got into the industry was, “You can get your foot in the door, because you’re a woman, but if you’re going to stay, you have to work that much harder.” That’s the chip on my shoulder. I have no idea why Taylor Swift put the line, “Don’t come for my job,” at the end of “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” but I fucking love that line. There are so many times I’ve felt that way. Don’t come for my job. I have worked so hard for this.
My proudest career moment
We launched WEAR in 2019, so COVID was our second year. Then, in 2021, I remember walking out on the field for my first game of the season—it was Vikings vs. Packers in Minnesota—and everybody was excited to be back. So many women were in the front row wearing WEAR, and our security guard looked up and goes, “E.A., I think this shit’s about to be big.” That was a really cool moment, to come back from the pandemic and see that we were still able to grow and that people were so excited to wear it.
And then to see Taylor Swift show up not once but three times in our gear, I was just so thankful that she recognized our small female-owned, female-run business. When she first walked into that Thursday night game in our windbreaker, I was screaming and crying. And then when she walked into the 2024 AFC Championship in WEAR, I was like, Come on, enough is enough. I wasn’t even thinking of it for the 2024 Super Bowl, so when I saw what she was wearing, I just started crying on the plane, and the flight attendant was like, “You good?” I was like, “No, I’ll have a double tequila and water. Thank you.” It was amazing. It was one of our biggest moments.
My mantra
“What would Taylor do?” The song “The Man” is my anthem. My girlfriend Charissa Thompson, who does my Calm Down podcast with me, we deal with assholes, and we’re always like “OK. What would Taylor do?” You never see her be nasty. You never see her be catty. She always handles things so professionally.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.